The primary activity of Empira will be to research, develop and implement customized clinical pathways and training programs referred to as “modules”. Each module will be created using the trainer-the-trainer format. Industry experts and other noted professionals will develop these modules based on established guidelines, best practices, and emerging technology. These modules will be research based using guidelines established by the Agency of Health Care Policy and Research and research findings from the Center for Health Systems Research and Analysis and the American Medical Directors Association. It is anticipated that a research and development phase of several years will be required before all modules will be fully implemented in the organizations.
Empira has developed educational modules in the areas of incontinence, assessment, falls prevention and pain management. The topics of restorative care, infection control, nutrition and skin will be developed into future modules. Where applicable, modules will encompass care and services in settings across the entire care spectrum. Key to bringing this educational process alive in the organizations is the existence of community action teams, known as CATs. These teams are charged with developing the facilities’ plan of action for implementing the module, recommending interventions, and serving as an ongoing resource for the specific module. The CAT members will receive practical training in the areas of anatomy and physiology, recognized best clinical practices, pathways for implementation, quality assurance auditing tools, data gathering and data analysis. They also will receive skills in the areas of change management, plan preparation, deployment, adult learning needs, decision-making, and problem solving. Based on the specific module’s content, these training sessions will be conducted over a one or two-day period at a location in the Mpls/St. Paul area.
Continuous Evaluation and Process Improvement
Empira tracks key indicators in clinical, financial, and human resource areas in monitor program effectiveness. These measures help to ensure that the desired outcomes are being achieved and provide data to help facilitate modifications and improvements. This data will be shared amongst the organizations allowing them to compare results and quantifiably demonstrate improvement in different outcomes. Empira will identify best practices and these will be shared with the entire group. These key indicators will be compared to national, state and other benchmarked data where common definitions of data exist.
Operations
Cindy Morris is the Executive Director of Empira. Sue Ann Guildermann is the Director of Education and oversees the educational activities of Empira. The Board of Directors, whose membership includes the CEOs/Key Leaders of the collaborating organizations, provides direction and vision. A Clinical Advisory Committee has been created to provide advisory support to the Empira Board of Directors. This Advisory Committee will includes representation from the medical, research, and academic environments. Subcommittees to the Board of Directors have been created representing Operations and Educational Resources. These committees will provide guidance and resources to implement the program’s objectives. Consultants/ Geriatric Nurse Practitioners will be hired to develop protocols and training materials for the individual modules. The Executive Director and Education Director will work closely with the individual Consultants to provide synergy and continuity to the training.
Financial
Empira’s program and activities are intended to improve the health and well-being of older adults and are not directed to financially benefit any of Empira’s sponsoring members. During the initial development stages, the six sponsoring organizations will provide necessary funds and staff time for the research and development of Empira. They also will provide resources to gather data, conduct surveys, and measure indicators from their respective facilities and services.
Data Analysis
Data analysis is an important activity for Empira. It is the intent of Empira to quantifiably demonstrate improvement and to use this information to improve the services we offer. Currently Empira uses a data collection tool called the Indicator Analyser, which includes clinical, human resource and financial indicators. Data collection began in July 2002.
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